Flybe cements presence in Scotland

Flybe has announced that it is - despite the many economic challenges facing the aviation industry and the wider economy - successfully continuing to build a bigger and stronger airline allowing it more opportunities to develop routes and encourage further business to Scotland.

The low cost carrier is the fastest growing airline in Scotland and, as a key contributor to the regional economy, operates three times more UK domestic flights than any other airline, and is serving Scotland with a greater capacity than ever before. Last year, Flybe flew almost two million passengers to and from Scotland with some 728 weekly flights on 21 domestic and European routes from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

Earlier this year, Flybe signed a ground-breaking Agreement with Loganair that created the first ever franchise for a low cost airline. Operations under the newly signed Agreement will start from the IATA Winter Season 2008 on 26th October, with tickets soon coming on sale for the full range of services selling under the Flybe brand.

“What’s especially heartening about the new franchise deal is that it has given Flybe the opportunity to further strengthen our Scottish ties,” said Mike Rutter, Flybe’s Chief Commercial Officer. “It will greatly benefit both Flybe and Loganair customers whether they’re travelling for business or leisure by offering an expanded efficient and friendly service at a price which provides outstanding value to an even greater range of attractive destinations. By linking with Flybe, Loganair’s customers will, from the end of June, also be able to book online to connect with BE services to destinations including Belfast, Birmingham, the Channel Islands, London Gatwick, Manchester and Southampton.

“Loganair’s first new routes operating under Flybe colours between Belfast and Birmingham out of Dundee are a taste of things to come. When our partnership fully takes off on October 26, business and leisure passengers throughout Scotland will benefit from increased services, great fares and new routes to and from an enticing selection of European and UK destinations. Tickets for these additional new routes go on sale from July 1 and we would urge travellers to book early so they don’t miss out on the best possible fares.”